BOT Approves Classroom Furniture Purchase Among Other Contracts
[Garden City, KS] April 14, 2022 -- The Garden City Community College Board of Trustees approved the purchase of classroom furniture among other contracts during the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
The Board heard a recommendation from GCCC administration to purchase new classroom furniture for classrooms in the Academic Building (ACAD), Joyce Fine Arts Building (JOYCE), and John Collins Vocational Tech Building (JCVT). The recommended purchase, through Wichita-based Scott Rice Office Interiors, would include replacing all classroom furniture in 10 ACAD classrooms, 4 JOYCE classrooms, and replacing 160 chairs in JCVT building. Additionally, this purchase would improve power distribution outlets in classrooms and purchase one classroom set of flexible, durable whiteboards to promote innovative, interactive teaching and learning. The Board approved the purchase at a total cost of $315,888.61, utilizing $240,000 of COVID-19 stimulus funding and an additional $75,888.61 from Capital Outlay.
The Board members unanimously voted for a one-year extension of Dr. Ruda's presidential contract.
The Board approved a 5-year agreement renewal for the annual financial audit with Lewis, Hooper & Dick, LLC. This will continue the annual auditing services for Garden City Community College, Broncbuster Athletic Association, and the Garden City Community College Endowment Association through June 20, 2026, at an annual cost of $92,050 and a 3% increase thereafter, paid from the general fund. Lewis, Hooper & Dick LLC has conducted the annual financial audit for GCCC for over 25 years and has familiarity with the college database and a good working relationship with college staff.
After hearing a presentation by John Haas of Ransom Financial Group, LLL, an approval for the resolution authorizing the offering for sale of lease purchase agreement certificates of participation, Series 2022, for $5,200,000 was approved by the Board. Projects included in this include turf replacement, track respray, production copiers, digital scoreboard, and STEM building addition/remodel. All of these projects are a part of the college's Master Facilities plan and include deferred maintenance.
Dr. Ruda discussed the current situation regarding a contractor for the upcoming STEM building addition. Due to rising costs in materials and supply chain issues, the projected cost of the project has drastically risen. GCCC administration received three competitive bids from local contractors, but all were higher than expected. Administration plans to work with the lowest-bidder, Dick Construction, on ways to utilize cost-saving options within the next week. Dr. Ruda requested a special board meeting, tentatively set for April 25th at 7:30 AM, to discuss and vote on a contractor for the STEM building. No action was taken during the meeting on this item.
Garden City Community College has collaborated with Blue Cross Blue Shield on a national grant as part of the 2022 National Fitness Campaign. Along with this grant, GCCC has secured additional grant funds which will be used to cover the expenses in full for a new outdoor fitness addition to campus and the community. The outdoor fitness court, to be located by the GCCC tennis courts, would be an innovative outdoor bodyweight circuit training center to allow individuals to use the fitness court to strengthen their bodies, increase mobility and balance, and complete circuit trainings and workouts using body resistance. The Board approved the project funding for the purchase and installation of the outdoor fitness center for $90,000 to be paid from secured grant funding.
The Board held one executive session where no action was taken.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10th at 6 p.m. in the Endowment Room at the Beth Tedrow Student Center.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.